[pct-l] Best gps iPhone app?

[Bill Burge]

A LOT of that depends on what you want to use it for:

	1) just get GPS coordinates
	2) show your location on a map (maybe have the map track with you)
		a) free maps of poor quality/detail
		b) free maps of better quality
		c) purchased maps of higher quality
		d) your own maps and routes
	3) record your route and other data as well as show your location on  
the map
	4) download waypoints and routes (maybe maps)

Also, which iPhone?  3G or 3GS

On my iPhone 3GS, I have:  Trailguru, Trails, MotionX GPS, AccuTerra,  
GPS Info - and Google Earth and the built-in Maps

Anything that tracks you constantly is going to give about 4 hours of  
runtime, even less if you don't disable unused services like bluetooth  
and wifi.  The phone can't go into "sleep" mode when tracking. The GPS  
won't function in "Airplane" mode, so when you're outside of coverage,  
the phone will constantly be searching for cell towers (lower battery  
time).

Some apps have the ability to cache maps for an area: Trails, MotionX  
GPS.  Trails will let you cache at different zoom levels.  I think  
MotionX GPS only caches maps it's "seen", no matter the zoom level.

You can import tracks (100) or waypoints (300) into MotionX GPS and  
tracks (or waypoints as a "track" of those waypoints, but that's  
kludgy and may not get you want you want) into Trails.  Trails is very  
geared to trails (tracks) and not so much locations (waypoints).

AccuTerra is pretty new and I haven't spent much time with it.  It is  
pretty useless unless you buy the additional maps.  I haven't found an  
easy way to import waypoints or tracks.  They have some pretty high  
def maps but the HD ones have limited coverage and get pricey.  I'll  
be buying a couple of maps and trying it out - but it's more about  
maps and less about GPS, as an app.

GPS Info is free and just says "here's your coordinates and your  
elevation and you speed".

So my feelings are:

for 	#1) GPS Info
	#2a) the built-in Maps app
	#2b) Trails (I also like it because it interacts with my Mac app  
TrailRunner trailrunnerx.com)
	#2c) Probably AccuTerra, but it's a little early to tell; currently  
Trails
	#2d) no such critter that I am aware of
	#3) very close between Trails and MotionX GPS, Trails probably gets  
the nod on this one
	#4) your own maps?  no such critter, otherwise MotionX GPS comes  
closest for tracks (100) and waypoints (300), but Trails has better  
map caching.

All in all, the iPhone is a pretty mediocre GPS compared to a full  
featured GPS like a Garmin.  Currently, I use mine on local hikes with  
"Trails" and might use it on some longer trails, as a backup to a  
compass, with "GPS Info" or to store waypoints with a possibility of  
not having a cached map (so have a paper on in hand!), with "MotionX  
GPS".  First, I have to do a test of battery life when no cell signal  
is present AND another test to see the battery cost of shutdown and  
boot up VS searching VS sleep in "Airplane" mode.

Trails is $3.99
MotionX GPS is $2.99
GPS Info is free
Trailguru is free
AccuTerra is $.99 but then additional maps go for $1.99 for SoCal and  
$1.99 for NorCal1 and $1.99 for NorCal2 in std definition, OR is two  
parts at $1.99 each and WA is two parts:  PCT = $1.99 X 7;  Some state  
and national parks are available in HD for $2.99 a park.

BillB



On Sep 22, 2009, at 10:11 AM, Laura Newman wrote:

> Any recommendations? Thanks, laura
>
> Sent from my iPhone
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